School board approves WBS church lease and trailer bid

by Kelly Corbett

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

WBS students led the National Anthem to kick off the Tuesday, May 7 regular Aldermen meeting.

The New Hanover County Board of Education approved a bid to construct two mobile units at Wrightsville Beach School and a lease to extend the use of two classrooms at Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church.

Board members unanimously approved to award the lowest bid of $86,870 for the construction of Wrightsville Beach School mobile classrooms to Lumina Builders, Inc. in Wrightsville Beach.

The Lumina Builders bid came in significantly lower than the two other bids by about $18,000 and $31,000. The deadline for bids was April 16.

The placement design of the two mobile classrooms, scheduled to be located at WBS for a three-year period, was completed by Norris & Tunstall Consulting Engineers, P.C. for $42,500.

Dr. Derrick Hickey questioned the high cost for the design.

Eddie Anderson, New Hanover County Schools director of facility planning and construction, said the design work includes both WBS and Bradley Creek Elementary School designs.

The documents are also ready to go next year if they are needed, he added.

Member Ed Higgins said he had previously posed the design cost question and was told it was due to state mandates.

“I think the public would just be amazed at what things cost that are state mandated,” Hickey said.

The project budget totals $295,000, with $125,000 allotted for construction, $65,114 for various vendors, $62,386 for furniture and equipment and the design services costs.

Board members also unanimously approved a lease between NHCS and Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church for two additional classroom spaces for a term from June 15, 2013 to June 15, 2014.

Monthly rent for the first year is $2,244 per month. The lease also includes options to renew with slight rent increases.

Funding for Sheriff Ed McMahon’s recommended plan for 11 additional School Resources Officers for the upcoming school year is still in question.

“I think they’re in agreement about the increased security, they just don’t know what form it’s going to take,” Chairman Don Hayes said about the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.

Hickey questioned the logic of waiting on a security audit, with an expected July completion date, when the information in the audit would not help identify specific needs.

“I wonder if we just don’t put SROs into our budget,” Hickey said. “Somebody needs to take responsibility for the safety of the students.”

Hayes said either way the money, an estimated $1 million for the 2013-14 school year, is coming from the county commissioners.